21 in French
In French, the number 21 is expressed as vingt et un. This straightforward translation is used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile expression for various situations. Unlike some other numbers in French, there are no significant regional variations or slang terms for 21.
How to Say and Use 21 in French
Vingt et un is composed of three words: vingt (twenty), et (and), and un (one). This construction is similar to the English "twenty-one," but with the addition of the conjunction "and." Here's a breakdown of the pronunciation and usage:
| English | French | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | vingt et un | /vɛ̃ te œ̃/ |
Examples in Context
"I'm 21 years old." - J'ai vingt et un ans. 🎂
"The party is on the 21st of July." - La fête est le vingt et un juillet. 🎉
"Room 21 is on the second floor." - La chambre vingt et un est au deuxième étage. 🏨
Counting Beyond 21
It's worth noting that the structure changes slightly when counting beyond 21. For numbers 22 to 29, the word et is omitted. For example:
- 22: vingt-deux
- 23: vingt-trois
- 24: vingt-quatre
This pattern continues up to 29 ( vingt-neuf).
Tips for Remembering
To help remember how to say 21 in French, you can break it down into its components:
- Vingt (20) - Think of it as "vain" with a 't' at the end.
- Et (and) - Pronounced like the letter 'E'.
- Un (1) - Sounds similar to "un" in "under".
Put them together, and you have vingt et un! 🧠💡
Remember, practice makes perfect. Try incorporating vingt et un into your daily French conversations or studies to solidify your understanding and pronunciation of this number.
